Pat McClelland, Chairman - Arkansas Children's Hospital

HOSPITAL NEWSChild Life and Education Department BringsUnderstanding to Young PatientsKila OwensSome people choose their professions based on pay, work hours ortraining. Most of the child life and education (CLE) employees atArkansas Children’s Hospital chose their profession based on an entirelydifferent reason — a personal life experience.One of those experiences was that of Gloriane Kabat, director ofthe CLE department.“When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I had to be admitted into a hospital,”Kabat says. “I was scared during my medical procedures, and I didn’tunderstand why I was there or what was happening. There was noone for me to play with, and there was absolutely nothing for me to do.”The experience made an impression on Kabat and later, while in college,she saw a television program about the emergence of child lifedepartments in children’s hospitals across the country. She quicklychanged her major and upon graduating, moved to Arkansas to work atACH.The mission of the CLE department is to help ACH patients understandand cope with their hospital stays. The services of the CLE departmentare very cost effective therapies for hospitalized children. Becausethe services are free and no insurance reimbursement is received, thedepartment relies heavily on philanthropy.Child life specialists explain medical procedures and provide therapeuticopportunities to explore the hospital environment. They help childrencope with emotions and illness through play, education, pre-ops, familysupport and the T.A.I.L.S. (Therapeutic Animal Intervention Lifts Spirits)program.Mandy Staggs has been a child life specialist at ACH for seven years.Most of the child life specialists in the CLE department are given a“unit” — an area of the hospital they routinely cover. Staggs’ unit is theheart center, and her familiarity with the area shows when she enters. Sheknows the names and stories of her assigned patients and shares a specialbond with those she works with every day — doctors, nurses, socialworkers and nutritionists. According to Staggs, “The most rewardingthing about being a child life specialist is the moment a kid smiles andyou see that they are happy. And you know you helped them understandwhat’s going on. You removed the fear and replaced it with happiness.That’s the best part of the job.”PLAYOne way that Kabat, Staggs and the other CLE staff members helppatients at ACH is through play. There are activity rooms locatedthroughout the hospital, as well as an outdoor play court in CampWannaplay, the main playroom located on the third floor of the hospital.The playrooms are staffed by patient activity specialists, and childrenhave the opportunity to engage in expressive arts, which allows them toA child life specialist explains an upcoming procedure to a patientwhile showing pictures of exactly what equipment he can expect to seeduring his stay at ACH.use music or crafts as a means of coping with hospitalization. All playroomsare designated “no owie” zones, meaning no medical procedurestake place there. “We feel play is very important to the children,” saysKabat. “Children learn and cope with their surroundings through play,and if the kids are doing what they want to do, it helps promote recovery.”Another activity promoted by the CLE department is medical play,which is used to alleviate a child’s medical fears. Depending on the age ofthe child, real or fake medical equipment is used to perform procedureson dolls.EDUCATIONIn addition to play, the CLE department has four teachers on staffto keep patients up-to-date on their studies. The hospital school, whichserves patients from 3 years to 12 th grade, provides a normal routinefor the students while also giving them an outlet for creativity andproductivity.Special attention is given to those patients whose hospital stays willexceed 10 days, who have special educational needs, who have chronic illnessesand visit the hospital frequently, or who have missed school priorto hospitalization.PRE-OPS and FAMILY SUPPORTPre-admittance visits are a way for child life specialists to ease apatient’s fears. Pre-admittance visits, or pre-ops, as they are sometimescalled, are scheduled for incoming patients. During the pre-op, a child lifespecialist will gently discuss the upcoming procedure with the patient.The specialist will then show the patient and his or her parents picturesof medical equipment. With each picture comes an explanation ofhow the instruments will be used in the patient’s procedure and the levelof pain to expect. In addition, pre-op visits include a tour of the area inwhich the child will be staying and an opportunity for the child to visitwith other people who will be instrumental to the procedure, such as asurgeon or an anesthesiologist.Child life specialists also provide support to parents and siblings ofpatients. For parents who need help with behavior management or otheroverall parenting issues, the CLE department can provide counsel andtips. Child life specialists can also prepare siblings for visiting a brother orsister in the hospital or for an impending death.Continued on page 134

RESEARCHAutism Research at ACHRI Strivingto Change Hopelessness to HopePhaedra YountAccording to Lisa Jansen,“One of life’s most difficultblows is to find out your childhas a disability. Ours wasautism.” She recalls the exactmoment she received her 4-year-old son David’s diagnosis.It was March 15, 2005. Shesays: “There it was in blackand white written at the top ofhis medical chart: Autism.‘What now?’ we thought. Ourperfect child autistic? Ourworld fell apart.”Each year, one in 166 childrenis diagnosed with autism,a developmental disabilitycharacterized by social interactionand language impairmentaccompanied by social withdrawaland repetitive behaviors. Boys are four times more likely thangirls to have autism. The disorder appears to have increased tenfoldover the last 15 years. Although both genetic and environmental factorsare believed to contribute to the development of autism, no oneknows the cause of the disability.Prior to David’s diagnosis he had genetic testing, developmentaltesting and multiple lab and neurology tests.Jansen says, “The doctors kept saying, ‘He is a complicated puzzle.’”She began searching for answers. She wants David to be given everyopportunity to lead a normal life. She learned about the research ofDr. Jill James* at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital ResearchInstitute (ACHRI). James is the director of the Metabolic GenomicsLaboratory at ACHRI. Her research is focused on the understandingof the metabolic and genetic factors that may be involved in thedevelopment of autism.Recent evidence from James’ laboratory suggests autism mayinvolve inherited metabolic irregularities that secondarily affect neurologicand immunologic function during prenatal and postnatal development.If proven correct, this model supports the possibility thatnormalization of the metabolic imbalance with targeted interventionstrategies could potentially improve symptoms and arrest the progressioninto autism.Earlier this year, David participated in a clinical trial at ACHRIdirected by James. The purpose of the study is to determine whethertargeted nutritional supplementation will improve the abnormalDavid Jansen, a 6-year-old who was diagnosed with autism, recentlyparticipated in a study by Dr. Jill James at ACHRI.metabolism in many autistic childrenand whether this interventionwill improve aspects of theirbehavior. David has completedthe clinical trial. His metabolicprofile and behavior improvedwhile participating in the study,and he continues to take the supplements.“Autism and the spectrumdisorders that make up thesedevastating changes in a child arecertainly multi-factorial and constitutemany possible complexinteractions that affect the nervoussystem,” says Dr. Richard F.Jacobs*, president of ACHRI.“Dr. James’ research is unlockingimportant questions to show thata subpopulation of these childrenhave disorders in the abilityto detoxify potentially damagingsubstances created by their bodies.Although the cause or causes remain unknown at this time,this research shows great promise for some children with autism.”Since David began receiving the supplements, he has becomemore social, and his verbal skills have increased. His mother seeshim smile more frequently. “I will be eternally grateful to Jill forgiving me the opportunity to see something I thought I wouldnever see,” says Jansen.Although each autistic child is a unique challenge, it is clinicalresearch such as that happening at ACHRI that gives hope toparents of children with autism. James’ research is supported byfunding from the National Institutes of Health, the ArkansasBiosciences Institute, the Children’s University Medical Group andby private donations made through the ACH Foundation.Today, 6-year-old David attends school. He is affectionate andloving toward people he knows. When he sees others give praise toa fellow student, he too will often show praise to the student nearesthim. Despite autism, his mother says, “He is perfect to me.”*Jill James, Ph.D., is director of the ACHRI Metabolic Genomics Laboratory, professor ofpediatrics, UAMS College of Medicine and a member of the Arkansas Center for Birth DefectsResearch and Prevention.*Richard F. Jacobs, M.D., FAAP, is president of ACHRI, physician in pediatric infectiousdisease at ACH, the Horace C. Cabe Professor of Pediatrics and the interim chairman of thedepartment of pediatrics, UAMS College of Medicine.5

HOSPITAL NEWSACH & UAMS Agreement to ImproveStatewide Access to Pediatric Subspecialty CareA statewide collaborative agreement between ArkansasChildren’s Hospital (ACH) and the University of Arkansas forMedical Sciences (UAMS) Department of Pediatrics was recentlyapproved by the ACH Board of Directors and the University ofArkansas Board of Trustees. This very exciting and importantagreement will have a profound effect on how care is providedto children and families throughout the state.The agreement will allow the two institutions to improveaccess to pediatric subspecialty care, support the educationand training of UAMS medical students and residents, andstrengthen and expand the current regional clinics.ACH already serves patients and families through statewideprograms such as transportation, after hours resource line, trainingof pediatricians and community outreach, but the needs areso much greater. This agreement will enhance the ability to bringcare closer to home for many patients.“We’re responding to requests from referring physiciansaround the state asking for an increased presence in pediatricsubspecialty care,” says Jonathan Bates, M.D., president and chiefexecutive officer of ACH. “By making our services availablearound the state, thousands of families will not have to make thelong trip to Little Rock for their child’s initial evaluation or clinicvisits for follow-up medical attention.”Services now provided off the ACH campus by ACH or theUAMS Department of Pediatrics will become components ofthis statewide working collaborative.The first project will be the UAMS/ACH Center for Childrenin Lowell. The other UAMS College of Medicine Departmentof Pediatrics regional clinics, located in El Dorado, Fort Smith,Harrison, Helena/West Helena, Jonesboro, Mountain View andTexarkana, will be known as the UAMS Department ofPediatrics and ACH regional clinics.“This collaboration between UAMS and Arkansas Children’sHospital will allow us to create a statewide system of health careaccessibility for children needing subspecialty and developmentalcare,” said Debra Fiser, M.D., dean of the UAMS College ofMedicine.The Center for Children — a collaborationbetween UAMS and Arkansas Children’sHospital — will create a statewide system ofhealth care accessibility for children needingsubspecialty and developmental care.The Center for Children is a 40,000-square-foot, twostorybuilding, scheduled to open sometime in the spring of2007. The building will house the SchmiedingDevelopmental Center, the Schmieding Kids First programand various regional clinics, all previously located inFayetteville and Springdale.The Schmieding Developmental Center provides medicaland neuropsychological assessments for children with developmentaldisorders.Schmieding Kids First is a comprehensive, early-interventionprogram for infants and young children with medicalconditions and developmental delays. UAMS operates 11Kids First centers across the state. The Springdale locationserves 58 children, and the program is expected to growonce relocated to the new facility.Nearly 14,000 patients from northwest Arkansas weretreated at Arkansas Children’s Hospital during 2006, and thisextension of services in Lowell is expected to improve theflow of appointments in Little Rock.Physicians who are faculty of the UAMS Department ofPediatrics and practice at Arkansas Children’s Hospital willcommute to the Center for Children on a rotating basis,both weekly and monthly. Some faculty and other staffmembers will reside in Lowell or nearby communities.Pediatric subspecialty services offered at the center willinclude adolescent medicine, allergy, cardiology, endocrinology,gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, pulmonologyand rheumatology.6

HOSPITAL NEWSFestival of Stars Brings Donations,Performances to ACHSandy Burrow (left), of ACH’s volunteer services department,presents Kevin Hayes with a certificate during Festival of Stars.Each individual or group who donated toys received a specialcertificate of thanks.Kevin Hayes (left) and his grandmother visit with B98’s JeffMatthews during their trip to ACH to drop off toy donations.The 2006 Festival of Stars, held December 14-16 in the ACH lobby,was a great success. Festival of Stars is an annual celebration duringwhich individuals and organizations are invited to deliver their holidaydonations to the hospital. The event featureda live remote each day by B98.5,and more than 1,102 individuals from 53groups performed holiday music forpatients and guests. A “stuff the truck”promotion was held to encourage peopleto make enough donations to fill aToyota Tundra provided by North PointToyota.During the three days of Festival ofGenerosity ofdonors ensuresthat every childin the hospitalgets a gift.Stars, ACH collected more than $65,000 worth of toys and other giftsfor children.Special thanks to B98.5, North Point Toyota and all who performedor donated during Festival of Stars.NewlyElectedArkansas Children’sHospitalRichard F. Jacobs, M.D.ACHRI President,Interim Chair, UAMSDept. of PediatricsLittle RockArkansas Children’sHospital FoundationPat AllenSiloam SpringsArkansas Children’sHospital FoundationDale CookPresident-elect, ACH AuxiliaryLittle RockTributes Offer Alternativeto Traditional GiftsMemorial and honor gifts are a way to honorthe memory of a loved one or cherished friend, torecognize special occasions such as birthdays oranniversaries, or simply to send best wishes, allwhile helping patients at ACH.If you would like to make a memorial orhonor gift to Arkansas Children’s Hospital,complete the form in the enclosed envelope ormail to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation,Box 2222, Little Rock, AR 72203. Your gift willprovide hope and healing to our most preciousresource – our children.7

DONORSCharitable Remainder Trust Allows Couple toSupport Children’s Hospital and Save on TaxesAlyssa AndersonWhen Mary and Al Gartside bought 100 acres of land innorthwest Arkansas in 1960, they had no idea what a hugeinvestment their purchase was. But as the years passed, the landappreciated considerably, and in 1995 they asked their broker atAG Edwards how they could save on taxes if they sold theland.That was when the Gartsides decided to establish a charitableremainder trust and make Arkansas Children’s Hospital oneof three beneficiaries. A charitable remainder trust is anarrangement in which money, securities or other assets aretransferred to a trust that then pays the donor an income forlife or for a period of years. The trust can also pay an incometo another beneficiary of the donor’s choosing. At the death ofthe surviving beneficiary, the remaining principal in the trustgoes to a charity such as ACH.“Our choice of Children’s Hospital for the charity was dueto our granddaughter Angela being cared for there when shewas 18 months old,” says Mary Gartside. “She was a very sickbaby.”Angela, who is now 30, had serious kidney problems as ababy and was referred to aurologist in Rogers.“The Rogers urologistwanted to wait a few yearsto do surgery becauseAngela was so small,” Marysays, “but fortunately, thedoctor he had trainedunder, Dr. John Redman,a pediatric urologist atArkansas Children’sHospital, was there duringthe time the X-rays wereThis photo of Mary and AlGartsides’ granddaughter Angelawas taken the day she leftArkansas Children’s Hospital. Thecare Angela received at ACH wasthe inspiration for the Gartsides’gift to the hospital.made. When Dr. Redmanreturned to Little Rock, hecalled my son and saidAngela needed to be operatedon immediately. He operateda few days later andcorrected the problem.”Angela and her husband, Robert Hensley, now live in Tulsa whereshe works as a nuclear medicine technician.Mary says what she remembers most about the experiencewas that someone from ACH called Angela’s family to see ifthey needed financial help.“Our son and family didn’t need it because their insurancewas adequate to take care of the expenses, but what impressedme was that Angela would have been cared for even if herparents had not been able to pay,” Mary says. “That was ourreason for wanting Children’s Hospital in our trust.”Al Gartside is a native of Rogers, and Mary was born andraised in southwest Arkansas. The couple met at the Universityof Arkansas but not until they both had graduated. At thetime, Mary was working in a lab for the U.S. Department ofAgriculture, and Al had come back to visit his professors.The Gartsides moved to Rogers in the early 1950s. Bothworked as school teachers, but Al’s interest was in farming, sohe gave up his job as a junior high science teacher to pursuehis love. They raised two sons, Brian, who now lives inFayetteville, and Phil, who lives in Seattle. The Gartsides havefour grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.After her surgery at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Angelathrived. She graduated from the University of OklahomaSchool of Nuclear Medicine and is now working as a nuclearmedicine technician in Tulsa.Mary says others who are struggling with what to do withhighly appreciated assets should consider a charitable remaindertrust. She also says they should consider supportingArkansas Children’s Hospital because “the hospital does somany things to help children.”8

DONORSGive,‘I would like to but...’Do you wish you could do more to make a difference in thelives of children treated at Arkansas Children’s Hospital but don’tfeel it’s an option for you at this time? Maybe it is. If you would liketo make a contribution to ACH but have one of the concernsbelow, we may have a giving opportunity that’s right for you.Concern:I would give more if I had more income.Giving Opportunity:Charitable Gift AnnuityDetails: A charitable gift annuity is a contract between youand a charity such as Arkansas Children’s Hospital, wherebythe charity agrees to make fixed payments to you for your lifein exchange for a charitable contribution.■ Guaranteed, fixed income for life.■ Fixed rate of payment, based on age, is established when annuitycontract is signed. Rate of payment is greater for older donors.■ Payout is much higher than most guaranteed investments such asCDs, money market accounts or savings accounts.■ Current and future savings on income taxes.■ You have the option of deferring payout until a later date whenincome is needed, which means a higher payout and larger incometax deduction (a great option for relatively younger donors).Concern:I’d give more, but my holdings are concentrated inhighly appreciated, low yield stock.Giving Opportunity:Charitable Remainder TrustDetails: A charitable remainder trust is an arrangement inwhich money, securities, real estate or other marketable propertyis irrevocably transferred to a trust that will then pay you anincome for life or for a period of years of your choosing (butnot more than 20). At death, or at the end of the specifiednumber of years, the remaining value in the trust is transferredto a charity like Arkansas Children’s Hospital.■ Assets are sold tax-free in the trust (i.e. no capital gains tax due onappreciated property contributed to a trust).■ You choose the payout rate; minimum of 5%. Usually the rateselected is 5-7%.■ You receive an immediate income tax deduction, which can be carriedover for up to five years, within the limitations of the law.■ The trust can pay an income to another beneficiary of your choice.■ Certain trust types allow additional contributions to be made.Concern:I would like to give, but I want to make sure I take careof my children and grandchildren.Giving Opportunity:Charitable Lead TrustDetails: A charitable lead trust is an arrangement in whichan income-producing asset is transferred to a trust, whichthen pays an annual income to a charity such as ArkansasChildren’s Hospital for a specified period. The asset reverts tofamily members at the end of the period.■ Assets are passed to family members while avoiding or drastically reducinggift and/or estate taxes.■ Reduces the size of your taxable estate and keeps property in the family.Concern:I would like to give, but I don’t want to disrupt my lifestyle.Giving Opportunity:Retained Life EstateDetails: You can give any personal residence, vacation home, farmor ranch to a charity like Arkansas Children’s Hospital and reserveuse of that property for life (or a term of years) and/or the lifetimeof another resident beneficiary.■ The retained life estate arrangement provides the benefits of income andestate tax savings on a gift of a significant asset without disruption of lifestyle.■ This option is especially attractive if you intend to leave the asset to thecharity anyway.Concern:I just don’t feel I’m able to give at this time.Giving Opportunity:Testamentary GiftDetails: A testamentary gift is a gift that is deferred until afteryour lifetime.■ Gift can be a bequest in a will or a revocable trust.■ Gift could also be made through beneficiary designation, payable on deathaccount or other contract (i.e. life insurance, retirement funds/IRAs, mostfinancial accounts). Beneficiary designation is a simple way to make a significantgift.■ The most tax efficient testamentary gifts are through retirementfunds/IRAs. Why? Retirement funds/IRAs are tax disadvantaged at deathbecause they may be subject to both estate tax and income tax when distributedto beneficiaries.For more information on these giving opportunities, or to discuss additionalgiving options, contact Mary Starr Ross at 501-364-5308. Please consult yourtax and/or legal advisor before making a gift.9

AUXILIARY GROUPSMiracle BallMembers of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Auxiliaryand the ACH Foundation proved recently that they couldtransform a very plain meeting room into an elegant ballroomworthy of guests in evening attire, gourmet dining andfine musical entertainment. They also proved that they areflexible and have a sense of humor.The inaugural Miracle Ball, a joint project of the Auxiliaryand the Foundation, jokingly became “the fanciest tailgateparty ever,” as organizers tried to juggle presenting an elegantblack tie ball on the same night the ArkansasRazorbacks were playing in the SEC championship footballgame.A discreet bank of televisions by the restrooms and severalby the bar were not enough to satisfy the hardcore fanswhen the game got particularly exciting, so the audiovisualteam scrambled to get the game on two 12-foot screens bythe stage. Suddenly, 360 elegantly clad people were watchingthe football game while eating their gourmet meal catered byCapers.Once the game finished (sadly, with a loss by Arkansas),the evening got back on track with a welcome by Auxiliaryand hospital officials, a live auction and entertainment byHunter Sullivan and his Swing Band.In 2006, the ACH Auxiliary celebrated its 40th year. Incelebration of the volunteer group’s long history, and inACHF board member Ray Hobbs and wife Debbie, of Rogers, withACH Foundation president John Bel (right).PHOTO BY INVITING ARKANSASFrom left: Mark Saviers, ACH and ACH Research Institute boardmember; Vicki Saviers, ACH Foundation board member; Dr. SallyBates; and Dr. Jonathan Bates, ACH president and CEO.preparation for the hospital’s approaching centennial, theAuxiliary wanted to create an elegant way to focus on the legacyof miraculous care at ACH; and so, the Miracle Ball wasborn.The Miracle Ball was held at ACH on December 2. Auxiliarymembers felt it was important to host the new event on theACH campus — providing an opportunity to invite their dearestfriends into their home.Sold out months before its December date, the Miracle Ballwas a grand success, attended by many friends of the hospitalas well as community leaders.Frances Buchanan, an Auxiliary member and ACHFoundation board member, served as the Miracle Ball liaison.Elizabeth Campbell and Carol Stephens served as co-chairs.Cindy Murphy chaired the live auction and Rebecca McDowellthe silent auction.A great deal of the ball’s financial success can be credited tothe early support of event sponsors, including the lead sponsorsThe Stephens Group and the Stella Boyle Smith Trust.Presenting sponsors included North Point Toyota, AmericanAirlines and Mary Healey’s. Glazer’s Distributors of Arkansaswas a premier sponsor.The Miracle Ball was so well received, it will become anannual event. The 2006 ball net proceeds of $175,000 will gotoward the creation of an endowed chair to support the childmaltreatment program at ACH.10

(The Fanciest Tailgate Party Ever)Promoted as having “the looks of a matinee idol and thechops of Bobby Darin,” Hunter Sullivan and his swingband got Miracle Ball guests out of their chairs and ontothe dance floor with new interpretations of old standards.Auxiliary president Sue Cooper was one of several spotters during the MiracleBall live auction. Live auction items included a trip for two to the Grammys, aBarry Thomas painting, a Chicago trip to get a custom-made Oxxford suit, aparty at the home of Cindy and Chip Murphy, a Patek Philippe watch, a 2007Toyota Yaris and four business-class tickets to Europe on American Airlines.Children’s Hall on the ACH campus was transformed from arather dull meeting space to an elegant ballroom featuring redcarpeting, red and white table settings, dozens and dozens ofred roses in silver vases, a stage and dance floor—everythingbathed in soft red and lavender lighting.Special ThanksAuxiliary PartnersPresenting SponsorsEarly in the evening, most eyes were on the Razorback game being shown at theback of the room.Premiere Sponsor11

AUXILIARY GROUPSLR Firefighters and SantaBring Joy to Local ChildrenTwo children visit with Santa Claus atBreakfast with Santa. All proceeds from theevent benefited ACH.On a windy, December day, Santa Claus arrived on theACH campus in a big red fire truck. As he walked intoChildren’s Hall, the room crackled with electricity andexcitement. Children cheered, parents clapped and everyoneclamored to get in line to have their picture taken with jollyol’ St. Nick.The Breakfast with Santa event featured a meal of pancakes,eggs, sausage and fruit, cooked and served by membersof the Little Rock Fire Department for parents andkids. The children in attendance also had the opportunity tocreate crafts, call the North Pole, shop at the North PoleOutlet Store and enjoy festive music.More than 600 people attended the event, and more than$8,300 was raised for ACH. Breakfast with Santa was made possibleby Friday, Eldredge & Clark and Wright, Lindsey, Jennings.All of the food was generously donated by IHOP and Simplythe Best Catering.The event was presented by Committee for the Future, anorganization of young professionals and community leaders inthe central Arkansas area who support Arkansas Children’sHospital through fundraising, education and community projects.Volunteers from Committee for the Future, Kohl’s andTarget assisted at the event.Members of the Little Rock Fire Department carefully prepare pancakesfor Breakfast with Santa guests.Santa hands out candy as he enters Children’s Hall on the ACHCampus. He arrived at the event on a fire truck, courtesy of the LittleRock Fire Department.Young Artists Help Bring Succcess to Holiday Card ProjectThe ACH Auxiliary completed its annual Holiday CardProject in December. It was the most successful year in the project’s40-year history, with an estimated total of $92,000.Ten young artists and the 2006 featured artist, most of whomare pictured here, were introduced and recognized for their contributionsto the project at a special event in November.In just another month or two, the Auxiliary will begin workingon the 2007 project and will be looking for new art. If youknow a budding young artist who has been an ACH patient,encourage him or her to work on a holiday masterpiece. Forinformation about how to participate in the 2007 project,contact Robin Rhoades, 501-364-1491.12

AUXILIARY GROUPSCircle of FriendsRoundupCircle of Friends events held October-December 2006.Special Events■ Arkansas River Valley, Breakfast with Santa, $7,000■ Arkansas River Valley, Chocolates for Children, $400■ Faulkner County, Morning with Santa, $1,300■ Harrison, Breakfast with Santa, $2,200■ Jefferson County, Breakfast with Santa, $560■ Jefferson County, Pine Bluff Board of RealtorsHoliday Auction, $11,500■ Jonesboro, Bowl-a-Ween, $440■ Jonesboro, Tour of Homes, $5,000■ Lawrence County, Kuts for Kids, $400■ Magnolia, Breakfast with Santa, $1,450■ Magnolia, Tips for Tots, $500Kampaign for KidsKampaign for Kids is a corporate campaign organizedby Circle of Friends chapters and community volunteers.■ Jonesboro, $32,086Kids Caring for KidsThrough the Kids Caring for Kids program, studentsparticipate in fundraising events that combine learningmath, spelling and reading along with the value of helpingMrs. Johnson’s first grade class at Lake Hamilton Primary inHot Springs raised $667, the most money in the Garland CountyCircle of Friends sponsored fundraiser, “Light Up a Life atACH.” Students at the school raised money by selling Christmastree light paper icons for $1 each.others. Other activities include trike-, bike- or walk-a-thons ormulti-school challenge events. Circle of Friends chapters workwith schools in their communities to organize these programs.■ Blytheville, Hat Day with Blytheville Primary School, $355■ Garland County, “Light up a Life at ACH” withLake Hamilton Primary School, $5,694■ Garland County, Sticker Sale competition betweenLakeside and Lake Hamilton High Schools, $19,200Circle of Friends members work to promote children’s healththrough education, advocacy and fundraising for ArkansasChildren’s Hospital, the state’s only pediatric medical facility.Circle of Friends chapters are scattered all over Arkansas. If youare interested in joining a group, please contact Anne McMains,at 501-364-5307.HOSPITAL PROGRAMSContinued from page 4T.A.I.L.S.The T.A.I.L.S. (Therapeutic Animal Intervention Lifts Spirits)program is another way the CLE department attempts to bring joyto patients’ lives. T.A.I.L.S. is a program that allows patients theopportunity to interact with trained therapy dogs. These interactionsoften result in reduced anxiety and pain and a more positiveoutlook on the hospital experience. “T.A.I.L.S. is a great programbecause the kids just light up when they get the chance to play witha dog, even if it is for a short time,” says Kabat. “We are alwaystrying to recruit more dogs for this program because it is a hit withthe patients.”OTHER CLE ACTIVITIESIn addition to the programs mentioned, the CLE departmentplans celebrations for patients, including birthday parties at whichthe patients receive donated gifts. Other celebrations are held for patientswho reach milestones in their recovery.“We have last treatment parties for children who are undergoingchemotherapy, and we have congratulations parties for kids who are beingreleased after being at ACH for a while,” says Kabat.The CLE team also tries to make the holidays feel as normal as possible.On Easter, each child receives a gift bag. On Christmas, Santa visitseach child’s room, delivering stockings and good cheer to the patients.The CLE department at ACH is a vital part of any patient’s visit. Fromthe pre-op to the playroom, Kabat and her team focus on bringing happinessand understanding to each patient. And hopefully, a little fun.“People ask me all the time, ‘How do you do it, working with sick kidsevery day?’” Staggs says. “I tell them, ‘At ACH, there are so many morehappy times than sad. The happy times make it worth the sad times.’”13

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORKLocal Credit UnionDonates $80,000 to ACHAs a member ofCredit Union forKids, AFCU hascontributedmore than$250,000 toACH since 1998.Arkansas Federal Credit Union (AFCU) recently donated$80,000 to ACH. Half of the money was raised by employeesand members through payroll deductions, a golf tournament, atwo-week long silent auction and several denim weeks.AFCU’s board of directors votedto match the money raised by employeesand members.As a member of Credit Union forKids, a national sponsor of Children’sMiracle Network, Arkansas FederalCredit Union has contributed morethan $250,000 to ACH since 1998.“Arkansas Federal Credit Union isproud to support the mission ofArkansas Children’s Hospital to providea place of care, love and hope tothe children of Arkansas,” says LarryBiernacki, AFCU president and CEO.AFCU President/CEO Larry Biernacki laughs with customersduring a fundraiser for ACH. The fundraiser featured Biernackitaped to a chair, unable to be released until he raised a certainamount of money for ACH.Hank’s Donates Fine Piece of Furniture to NICUEmployees from the home office of Hank’s FineFurniture in Sherwood gathered at ACH in December topresent their 2006 donation to staff members of theneonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Each year, a portion of the profits from Hank’smonth-long annual anniversary sale in June are donatedto area children’s hospitals in the markets Hank’sFurniture serves, including Arkansas, Missouri, Texas,Alabama and Florida.This year’s donation to ACH was used to purchasean Omnibed incubator, a radiant warmer that mimics awomb, allowing a premature baby to grow and progressas it would in-utero.14

GIVINGThanksto You!The following individuals, businesses, foundations andorganizations held fundraising events or made specialgifts to benefit Arkansas Children’s Hospital during the lastquarter. The time, talents and true acts of generosity fromthese special people help us in our mission to provide care,love and hope to patients and families.Ace Hardware Corporation in Maumelle held two specialsales in 2006, raising $21,300 to benefit Arkansas Children’sHospital.The Arkansas Pontiac Association held its annual carshow on September 30 in Maumelle. The association’s donationof $5,000 will support the ACH clinical nutrition department.An employee campaign at Bale Chevrolet raised $2,600 forACH.The hematology/oncology unit at ACH received a donation of$3,300 from the Herman Brown Foundation Golf Classicheld in Searcy. The foundation was founded in honor ofHerman Brown, Jr., who lost his battle with cancer in 2001.Kappa Delta sorority held its annual football run on October28 raising $11,377. This year, the sorority also held a putt-putttournament to raise money for ACH. A check was presentedduring half-time at the Arkansas vs. Louisiana-Monroe game.Kohl’s employees from stores in Benton, Conway, Little Rockand Sherwood volunteered at ACH events during the holidayseason, and Kohl’s Department Stores will donate a gift of$3,500 to the hospital in their honor.Students in the Lake Hamilton Middle School FBLA raised$1,000 by selling cookie dough and homemade treats. Thedonation is designated to the ACH PULSE (PediatricUnderstanding and Learning through Simulation Education)Center, which is devoted to educating pediatric caregiversthrough hands-on learning and practice with life-like robots.ACH received a $5,000 grant from the Million DollarRound Table (MDRT) Foundation in Park Ridge, Ill. Thegrant is in support of ACH’s dental program, to help establisha new mobile dental clinic for special needs patients living inrural communities. ACH’s grant application was endorsed byHot Springs MDRT member Mack Koonce.The Old Town Cruisers car club held its annual car showbenefiting ACH in September, raising $5,300.Lyon College Phi Mu sorority members dance the night away duringtheir annual Dance Marathon to benefit ACH.Phi Mu-Epsilon Rho at Lyon College in Batesville, held itsannual Dance Marathon in October. Sorority members collectedpledges from students, parents and businesses to dance thenight away. They also held spaghetti suppers and had cardstocksales to raise money for the event. The group raised$9,290 for ACH.Students at Sparkman schools raised more than $1,500 forACH in October. Sparkman Elementary held a walk-athon,and Sparkman High School held a hat day.The Swampriders Motorcycle Club held two roadblocksat the Arkadelphia Wal-Mart and a party in Prescott to raise$5,794 for ACH.For three days in December, Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluffheld a “Where Wishes Become Miracles” event, donating apercentage of its proceeds from that time to ACH. The promotionresulted in a gift of $5,000.Two jeans days and the annual “Truckin’ for a Cure” employeecampaign were held at J.B. Hunt Transport in Lowell,resulting in a contribution of $15,508 that will be designatedto Angel One® Transport, uncompensated care and pastoralcare.15

Barbara Hanna (middle), ACH Foundation board member from Fort Smith, with Sam and Frances Buchanan at the2006 Miracle Ball. Frances is also an ACH Foundation board member and served as the 2006 Miracle Ball liaison.Miracle Ball 2007 — Save the DateSold out months before its December date,the 2006 Miracle Ball was a grand successand was attended by many friends of thehospital as well as community leaders.Please make plans to attend the 2007Miracle Ball on Saturday, December 1, atChildren’s Hall on the ACH campus. The2007 event, chaired by Mr. and Mrs. CharlesH. Murphy III, will be another elegantevening of gourmet dining, live and silentauctions and dancing. For ticket andsponsorship information, contactRobin Rhoades, 501-364-1491.Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation800 Marshall Street/Slot 661Little Rock, AR 72202-3591Address Service RequestedNonprofitOrganizationU.S. POSTAGEPAIDLittle Rock, ARPermit No. 1441If you receive more than one copy of The ACHiever,please pass the extras along to a friend.Please write to us if you wish to have your name removed fromthe list to receive the ACHiever magazine from the ArkansasChildren’s Hospital Foundation in the future. ArkansasChildren’s Hospital Foundation, ACHiever magazine,800 Marshall St., Slot 661, Little Rock, AR 72202.